Last Visit: Aug 3, 2008 2:42pm Last Forum Post:Never Last Photo Upload: Jan 14, 2007 12:31pm Last Profile Update: Apr 18, 2008 9:05am Last Blog Post: Oct 14, 2006 2:09pm
My love for fitness began in elementary school when I was old enough to play sports with my older brother and his friends. I realized that I was almost as fast and as strong as the boys my age. As I got older, boys would comment on the shape of my arms and shoulders, but emphasized the size of my biceps. I started to take fitness more seriously in sixth grade when I found out that the Presidential Fitness Test was administered at my school. I asked my mother to buy me free weights and a weight bench to help increase my strength and endurance for the fitness test. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw my mom and my brother struggling to drag a box full of free weights into our apartment. That year, I achieved the highest score on the Presidential Fitness Test and was awarded a $50.00 savings bond which I thought was the coolest thing. Luckily my mom was open to my request for free weight equipment at that age. My brother helped me weight train and motivated me to participate in our neighborhood sports.
During the next several years, my love for sports continued to grow. I participated in basketball, softball, track and golf and had less time to train with weights. My sophomore year of high school, I broke a track record for the fastest 220 yard dash. In my junior year, I was the first girl to compete on the boy’s golf team. I started weight training again so that I would be strong enough to compete against the boys. I was several years older, and I saw a much faster response to weight training. After graduating from high school, I played basketball in community college and weight trained in my spare time. I majored in Business and Fashion Design/Merchandising my first three years of college, but my interest in health and fitness grew stronger. Therefore, I switched majors and graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelors degree of Science in Kinesiology. While obtaining my degree in Kinesiology, I finished my curriculum for Business and Fashion Merchandising.
During my senior year of college, I entered the 1996 NPC Maryland Fitness Competition and took third place. I entered the Bodyrock bodybuilding show three weeks later and took first place in the light weight division. Finally that year, I entered the Virginia Gold’s Classic Fitness and Bodybuilding Competition. I crossed over taking part in both fitness and middle weight bodybuilding. I placed first in fitness and won the middle weight class as well as the overall bodybuilding title.
It has been up hill since then dealing with the politics that go with competing at the national level. I have a physique that is a little more muscular than the average fitness competitor and that hurt my placings in the National NPC fitness competitions. I have been told to stop training all together so that my muscles will be more flat on stage at the amateur level. I never wanted to decrease my muscularity, because I feel that it makes me more unique. I have worked hard to achieve my physique and I certainly don't want to back track. It seems as though the judges want all the competitors to fit into size and shape categories. I have been told by judges the night before a show to smooth out so that I don't come into lean. After taking their advice, I never felt like 100% on stage. There is no more individuality in the fitness sport and all of the girls look the same.
I wish there was a category that actually judged fitness competitors truly on a muscular and fit physique, flexibility, endurance, and strength. The only competitions close to that were the Women's Fitness Extravaganza and Femsport's Valkyriefest which I competed in a few years ago and placed first and second. When the judging criteria for female bodybuilding changed to a more feminine look, I dabbled into that arena and placed quite well. I have placed second and third in the USAs and Nationals since 2002. Finally, I was able to come into a competition muscular and lean, while maintaining a feminine look. Now, I am known now for choreographing some really unique bodybuilding routines utilizing my strength and flexibility background.
You can check out my website for more photos and information on the nutrition and training services that I offer. I have such a great background in bodybuilding and fitness with all the different competitions I have done. It really compliments my degree in Kinesiology and my goal, which is to help as many people as I can obtain their health and fitness endeavors.
Why I Love It:
I love to help others achieve their health and fitness goals. I stay in shape to be a role model for others who desire a healthy lifestyle. I work with people world-wide via the internet. I specialize in developing training and nutrition programs for fitness, figure and bodybuilding athletes. I have worked with NFL athletes Shannon Sharp, Tra Thomas, and Hugh Douglas as well as Bad boy recording artist Mase. If you would like more information email me at fitnessinferno@yahoo.com or just go to my website: www.fitnessinferno.com
How I Stay Motivated:
I love looking and feeling healthy. I weight train at least 4 days a week and consume a nutritious diet whether I am competing or not. I lead a healthy lifestyle year round.
I felt I just had to drop by and tell you that you are looking great. I congratulate you on all of your hard work and what you have accomplished to this point. I wish you all the best in '08 and look forward to watching your continuing progression.
To say fitness you must be fit and to say inferno that infers heat and as you are fit and hot you have aptly named yourself.
Keep up the great work and pushing yourself to be the best that you can be and you will be winning more contests and appearing on magazine pages. I wish you much success.
wow! big muscles, but still feminine- you've done a great job. Keep up the great work, and good luck in your future comps- BB or fitness, or whatever.
Paul
